Discover the Secrets of Portugal
Portugal small group tour: Join our small group tour through Portugal, a country where ancient history and modern elegance meet in perfect harmony. With borders unchanged for more than eight centuries, Portugal remains one of Europe’s oldest and most captivating nations, its story revealed through Roman ruins, medieval monasteries, and cities that shaped the spirit of the Iberian Peninsula. This journey invites you to uncover the heart of Portugal, from the sunlit streets of Lisbon and the romantic palaces of Sintra to the peaceful vineyards of the Douro Valley and the vibrant charm of Porto.
Along the way, you’ll discover the many facets that make Portugal so unforgettable. In Lisbon, enjoy guided visits to the city’s UNESCO landmarks, including the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. Explore the lively markets, visit the graceful cloisters of the Jerónimos Monastery, and sample pastéis de nata, the beloved custard pastries that reflect Portugal’s rich seafaring heritage. In Sintra, explore the fairytale towers of Pena Palace before continuing through ancient hill towns and the quiet countryside where the art of azulejo tile making still thrives. Further north, sail along the Douro River past vineyard terraces, share a home-hosted lunch in a fourteenth-century manor, and taste the fine wines that have made this valley world-renowned.
Designed for those who love travel and seek authentic experiences, this journey invites you to experience Portugal as the locals do, discovering its beauty, traditions, and spirit with Secret Italia Tours.
Upcoming Tour Dates 11 Days / 10 Nights
Pricing: € 4,400
Price is per person based on double room occupancy
Single supplement available at the cost of € 1,500
Experience the beauty
Tour Highlights
- Guided tour of Lisbon and its historical treasures & popular markets
- An included visit to Jeronimo Monastery in Lisbon
- A sample of delicious Portuguese delicacies
- A visit to the magical UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra and Pena Palace
- Explore remote fortified towns and monasteries
- Learn all about the famous Portuguese tiles Azulejos
- See beautiful towns and ancient cities like Evora, Obidos and Coimbra
- An elegant river cruise in the Douro
- A home-hosted lunch in a 14th-century Manor
- Travel through the scenic Douro Valley vineyards
- Guided tour of the historic city of Porto
Tour Itinerary
Your adventure begins in Lisbon, the captivating capital where old-world charm meets contemporary style. Settle into your central boutique hotel for a three-night stay, perfectly located for exploring the city’s vibrant streets and historic neighborhoods. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome drink and dinner at a local restaurant featuring regional cuisine and fine Portuguese wine, the perfect beginning to your journey through Portugal.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on your own, dinner included
Accommodation: Overnight in Lisbon
Portugal’s capital offers an irresistible blend of ancient charm and contemporary life. Begin the day with a visit to the Belem district, an area filled with grand monuments and ornate churches that celebrate Portugal’s golden Age of Discovery. Visit two masterpieces of the Manueline style, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belem Tower. The monastery, adorned with intricate carvings and delicate arches, now houses the Archaeology and Maritime Museums and serves as the resting place of Vasco da Gama. After lunch along the riverside, continue to the Alfama district, one of Lisbon’s oldest and most enchanting quarters. Stroll through its colorful squares and winding medieval streets where whitewashed houses climb the hillside toward the ancient fortress that crowns the skyline. Conclude the afternoon with visits to the Mercado da Ribeira and the National Tile Museum, home to five centuries of exquisite azulejos, the hand-painted tiles that define Portuguese artistry. The evening is yours to dine and explore romantic Lisbon at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Lisbon
This morning, travel to the enchanting town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its palaces, gardens, and storybook beauty. Visit the colorful Pena Palace, a masterpiece of romantic architecture whose red and yellow towers rise above the forested hills. Inside, discover an opulent world of Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, ornate decorations, and intricate porcelain and paintings that bring Portugal’s royal past to life. After exploring Sintra, continue along the Portuguese coast to the charming fishing village of Cascais. Stroll its scenic promenade, lined with boutiques and seaside cafés, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Lisbon. The evening is yours to wander at leisure, perhaps along the lively Rua Augusta with its open-air shops and inviting restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Lisbon
Today’s journey leads you into the wine-growing region of Alentejo, a landscape of vineyards, cork oaks, olive groves, and ancient megalithic sites. Begin with a visit to the village of Arraiolos, renowned for its tradition of embroidered rugs and crowned by its circular medieval castle. Enjoy a cultural stop at a local cork workshop before continuing on for an included lunch with wine pairings at a family-owned restaurant, offering a taste of authentic Alentejo cuisine. In the afternoon, travel onward to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved towns. Settle in for two nights at your central hotel, with breakfast included. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this timeless and welcoming place.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Evora
The captivating city of Évora rose to prominence under the Romans and became a flourishing center of art and learning. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage site stands as one of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved towns, often described as a living museum. Discover the city’s ancient treasures with visits to the Roman Temple, the twelfth-century Cathedral, and the fascinating Chapel of Bones, connected by cobbled lanes and graceful wrought-iron balconies.
This evening, enjoy a Secret Italia Signature Travel as a Local Experience with dinner in the home of our dear friend Sofia, who will welcome you into her kitchen for a hands-on cooking class. Prepare and share traditional Portuguese dishes together, an experience filled with warmth, laughter, and authentic hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Evora
The road north unfolds through the heart of Portugal, leading first to the enchanting walled town of Óbidos. Wander its cobbled lanes lined with whitewashed houses and flowering balconies, and take in the view of the medieval fortress that crowns the hilltop. Continue to Coimbra, a city celebrated for its centuries of scholarship and home to one of the oldest universities in the world. Explore the thirteenth-century campus and its UNESCO-listed library, where thousands of ancient volumes fill gilded halls beneath painted ceilings. Later in the day, travel onward to the Douro Valley, where you will spend the next two nights at a central hotel. Dinner this evening is included at a restaurant featuring regional specialties.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Guimaraes
Journey through the heart of the Porto wine region, where the Douro Valley’s terraced vineyards create one of the most captivating landscapes in the world. Begin with a visit to the elegant Mateus Palace, an eighteenth-century masterpiece designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nazoni. Surrounded by manicured gardens, shaded paths, and graceful sculptures, the palace remains privately owned by its founding family. Continue to a traditional Portuguese quinta, or country estate, for lunch paired with local wines and the warmth of genuine hospitality. In the afternoon, relax aboard a private rabelo boat for a scenic cruise along the Douro River, sailing past vine-covered hills and peaceful villages reflected in the water. The day concludes in Guimaraes, where the evening is yours to explore at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Guimaraes
Begin the day in Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal and the birthplace of its founding king. This captivating city, often called the cradle of the nation, invites you to wander its beautifully preserved medieval streets and squares, each corner echoing centuries of history. Visit the impressive Guimarães Castle, an imposing medieval stronghold that rises 92 feet above the city and remains one of Portugal’s most iconic monuments. After time at leisure for lunch, continue to Braga to visit the magnificent Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a masterpiece of Baroque design. Its monumental stairway, adorned with fountains, statues, and intricate chapels, leads to sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. In the evening, travel south to Porto, where you will settle in for the next three nights at a central hotel.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Porto
This morning, discover one of Portugal’s hidden gems, the seaside town of Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal.” Glide through its canal-lined streets aboard a colorful moliceiro boat and admire the pastel façades that mirror the water’s calm reflections. Continue to the nearby Praia da Costa Nova, known for its charming striped beach houses and sweeping views of the Atlantic. Return to Porto for a leisurely afternoon, with time to stroll the riverside promenade or relax in one of the city’s elegant cafés. In the evening, experience one of the three Fs that define Portuguese culture, Fado, Fátima, and Futebol, with an intimate live Fado performance. The soulful melodies of this traditional music capture the longing and passion that lie at the heart of Portugal.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Porto
Set out on a guided walking tour of Porto, Portugal’s captivating second city, celebrated for its riverfront beauty and world-renowned Port wine. Stroll through the historic Ribeira district, where colorful houses line the Douro River, and visit architectural treasures such as the Stock Exchange Palace and the richly gilded Church of São Francisco. Continue across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia for a visit and tasting at one of the city’s traditional Port wine cellars. The afternoon is yours to explore Porto at leisure. Wander through the lively Mercado do Bolhão, browse the elegant bookshop of Livraria Lello, or simply enjoy the city’s vibrant charm. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner accompanied by fine local wine, celebrating the unforgettable journey through Portugal.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Porto
After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to Portugal, a country that has shared its beauty, traditions, and generous spirit at every turn. Transfers are provided to the Porto airport or train station for your journey home. As you leave the cobbled streets, vineyards, and golden shores behind, carry with you the memories of a land rich in history and heart, and the promise of returning again one day. If you wish to extent your trip to Spain, please view the following link Our Spain Small Group Tours
Additional Information
- Small group tour of 12-15 participants
- Knowledgeable English-speaking tour director
- Entrance fees for all sites
- Tour transportation in a private air-conditioned motor coach
- Hotel city and service taxes at all accommodations and restaurants are included
- Transfers to your hotel and airport at scheduled times. We suggest arriving a day or two before the tour begins to acclimate to the time zone
- Baggage transfers and porters are included
- All breakfasts, four dinners and three lunches are covered. Main meals include wine, mineral water, local coffee with a set amount included
- Activity level: Light/Moderate
- Terms & Conditions/single supplement and FAQ
- Travel insurance and visa fees/Trip Interruption & Cancellation Insurance
- Any charges for extras not listed in the itinerary
- Room services, telephone charges, laundry fees
- Gratuities for the tour director and local driver
- Single room supplement
- Airfares
- Extend your stay in Lisbon and Porto
Tour Reviews
A Wonderful Portugal Experience!
The perfect blend of sights, history and food in the many locations we visited! Palaces, cathedrals, great food and wine galore. My husband and I enjoyed visiting a cork factory, and a fun cooking class with Sophia and her son Phillip who were fabulous. Our tour group became a little family and we had lots of laughs and fun. One of the biggest highlights was being guided by Pedro! I can’t imagine learning more about Portugal from anyone better. He is amazingly knowledgeable about the history of his country. He was patient and considerate and went above and beyond to provide us with a top notch experience! September 2025
Beautiful PORTUGAL with PEDRO
Hi Folks
Well you may be enjoying the photos and comments from the Whatsapp group Pedro set up for our Portugal tour. Even though many of us are already home, the photos and comments keep on coming. I hope they reinforce our complete enjoyment and are a testament to how well we all got along! I just wanted to send my comments to you personally. From the moment I landed at Lisbon Airport until the moment I was dropped back to Porto airport, I was with an extraordinary group of travellers from USA and Australia, and in the very capable hands of our superb tour guide Pedro, and our terrific driver Sergio. I loved every moment! The group bonded really quickly and I believe without doubt we have made lifelong friends. We had so many laughs and coming from all our different backgrounds made it extremely interesting. Pedro’s knowledge and humour, and all round care of us throughout was awesome. He took us to the most amazing places and restaurants, answered every single question, and was always there for us. Sergio drove us around Portugal with such patience and calm, especially through one particular traffic jam in Lisbon and the very tricky route to the winery along the Douro river. How he managed to pack all our luggage in the bus, without an inch to spare, amazed us all. The hotels were so central and top class. Portugal shone for us, the weather was perfect. I am in love with this small and fiercely proud country. Thankyou Secret Italia for your flawless organisation of this amazing 2 week tour
Its no wonder there are so many repeat travellers with your company
Amazing Portugal
My wife and I participated in the 11-day group Tour “Wonders of Portugal and Douro Valley,” Sep 12-22, 2022. The tour organized by Secret Tours was superb. I cannot imagine a better itinerary. It was very well thought up to the smallest detail, smartly alternating between a variety of activities – visiting historical places, wine and food tasting, listening to fado, and many more. Our minibus was very comfortable and spotlessly clean with WiFi and water bottles. Our wonderful guide, Diana Oliveira, is highly educated, competent, flexible, accommodating, and fun to be with. She generously shared her knowledge with us, was always ready to help, and made the tour really enjoyable.This was our second tour with Secret Italia – last year we went to Puglia, which was also fantastic. We are looking forward to more tours with this company.
Surprisingly Portugal
Dear Aldo,
I wanted to let you know that our experience with Secret tours in Portugal was AMAZING! It exceeded all our expectations. You could not have picked a better tour guide; Diana has a real passion for her profession.She was warm and friendly, and painted beautiful tapestries of the history and culture of places we visited. She was also very efficient and ensured the trip ran smoothly at all times, allowing us to just sit back and enjoy ourselves.
The hotels we stayed at were also wonderful.The one on the Douro River was a fantastic experience, with unmatched views and a beautiful outdoor restaurant. We especially enjoyed sitting on our patio at night looking over the pool and river while we enjoyed a bottle of wine. We also can’t say enough about the staff and service at the hotel in Lisbon.Although I have traveled extensively around the world for work, this was our first tour experience together in a foreign country, and we could not have asked for a better experience.Thank you, we are already looking forward to our next Secret tour!
Experience the Best
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